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Saturday, 12 October 2013

BMW X5

BMW X5

The BMW X5 is a midsize luxury SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) (J-segment in Europe) produced by BMW. The first generation of the X5, with the chassis code E53, made its debut in 1999. It was BMW's first SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), also known as "Four-by-Four" (4x4) in the UK, which featured 4WD all-wheel drive and was available with either manual or automatic transmission. In 2006 the second generation X5 was launched, known internally as the E70, featuring the torque-split capable xDrive all-wheel drive system mated to an automatic transmission, and in 2009 the X5 M performance variant was released as a 2010 model.

BMW branded the X5 as a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) rather than an SUV, to emphasize its on-road ability despite its size. Like the Lexus RX 300, the X5 heralded the shift from light truck-based body-on-frame SUVs to crossovers underpinned by unibody car platforms that would come to fruition in the late 2000s. Among German luxury automakers, while the Mercedes-Benz M-Class had beaten the X5 to the market by a year, the X5 was the first to use a unibody chassis whereas the M-Class used a light truck platform until its second generation. While the Lexus RX is based on the Toyota Camry mass market sedan, the X5 shares its underpinnings with the BMW 5 Series performance luxury sedan.

X5s are manufactured in Greer, South Carolina at the Spartanburg BMW plant and in Mexico at the BMW de México Toluca plant. Since July 2009, some assembly operations are also performed in Kaliningrad, Russia by Avtotor.
Starting with the X5, BMW's Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) series has since expanded to be derivatives of other BMW number-series models, first in 2003 with the BMW X3 compact luxury crossover, and then in 2008 with the BMW X6 midsize coupe luxury crossover which shares its platform with the X5.

The BMW E53 X5 crossover vehicle was manufactured between 1999 and 2006. Production ceased in September 2006 and has been replaced by the BMW X5 (E70).
The E53 was developed at a time when BMW owned Land Rover and benefitted from Land Rover technology. It shared components with the Land Rover Range Rover HSE model; specifically the Hill Descent System and Off Road Engine Management system and also the BMW E39 5-series; specifically the engine and electronic system. The entire in car entertainment system (Radio Function, Navigation System, Television and Telecommunications systems, and a very flexible automotive computer system) are identical. As a result the earlier X5 models can be upgraded with newer BMW technologies (e.g. Bluetooth phone connectivity).

The BMW E70 is the second generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). It replaced the BMW X5 (E53) in November 2006. The second generation X5 features many new technological advancements including BMW's iDrive system as standard equipment and, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat raising passenger capacity to seven.
The branding for the X5 from late 2008 onwards follows the new BMW nomenclature scheme, for example the X5 3.0i is now called the X5 xDrive30i, and the X5 4.8i is called the X5 xDrive48i.

The BMW F15 is the third generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), unveiled on 30 May 2013 and with market launch scheduled in November 2013.
The new model is launched with an initial choice of three engines: a 450 hp V8 petrol engine (xDrive50i) and two six-cylinder in-line diesel units, producing 258 hp with one turbo (xDrive30d) and 381 hp with three turbos (M50d M Performance), respectively. In December 2013, further engine options will become available: xDrive40d, xDrive35i and, for the first time on the X5 model, two four-cylinder engines xDrive25d and sDrive25d (with two-wheel transmission).
As for the previous model, it will be assembled at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, United States.